Digital migration gets $273 million boost

CATHERINE MUMBA, Lusaka
GOVERNMENT has secured US$273 million for the implementation of phases two and three of the digital migration project, Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services Kampamba Mulenga has said.Ms Mulenga said at a media briefing in Lusaka yesterday that the two phases will see the construction of six provincial broadcasting stations and installation of transmission sites that will bring digital television to all parts of the country.
â€œThis project is the first of its kind for the country because once it is completed, the whole country will receive digital television signals. This is a major development for the people of Zambia, especially those in areas where there is no television service at the moment,â€ she said.
Ms Mulenga said according to the implementation plan, installation in the remaining provincial centres will be completed by June 30 and by December 31, 2017 in remote sites.
She said as part of the implementation process in phase one, Government decided to set up a joint venture between the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) and StarTimes to operate the public signal distributor.
She said in this partnership, a company has been established called Topstar Communications Company Limited.
Ms Mulenga said ZNBC owns 40 percent and StarTimes 60 percent shares.
â€œThe Government has secured 1,250,000 decoders and antennae to facilitate the receiving of digital television. The decoders will be sold to the public by TopStar Communications Company Limited. I urge members of the public who are interested to the company for potential dealership business opportunities,â€ he said.
Ms Mulenga said as of December 2016, the ministry had received 279,488 decoders and that arrangements are being made to ensure all cities along the line of rail have selling points and adequate stocks are made available.
She also dispelled reports that ZNBC has increased TV levy to K30 per month as reported in some sections of the medi
Ms Mulenga, however, said the levy is being reviewed and that at the right time, the public will be informed of the decision.